Mention death in a conversation and the chances are you will be told not to be so morbid. It's simply not the done thing. Death Cafe Hoddesdon was set up to break down this taboo. It’s a chance to talk about whatever is on your mind about death.

We follow the Death Cafe principles: no agenda, advertising or set conclusions. It isn’t a grief or bereavement support group, simply a small gathering of people talking about death over a cuppa in a safe, relaxed and confidential space.

Death Cafe Hoddesdon takes place on the last Tuesday of the month. It’s free to attend, though refreshments will be available to purchase and donations to cover our running costs are welcome.

About Alison Jackson & Karen Griffiths

We both have experience of journeying with loved ones who are dying and we both have worked in hospices, where the care is all about helping people to enjoy the best quality of life in the face of death. Alison in her role of taking funerals and spending time with recently bereaved families has realised how unprepared we are to talk about death and how taboo the subject has become, because of fear and misplaced politeness.

Along our different paths, we have discovered that being able to talk about death can make a huge positive difference to life and living. Our hope is that, through Death Cafe Hoddesdon, others will discover this, too.